What Led Us Here

Human trafficking remains a hidden crisis in Greece and around the world, trapping many women in sexual exploitation through deception and coercion. Even after escaping, survivors often face enormous challenges finding safe work and rebuilding their lives, leaving them vulnerable to falling back into exploitation.

In 2012, Threads of Hope began as a small sewing project in Athens, Greece, inspired by meeting women who had survived exploitation and needed practical support to start over. Seeing how crucial skills training, steady work, and holistic care were for lasting freedom, our founders set out to create a safe and supportive place where women could learn, work, and rebuild their lives. As the project grew, Threads of Hope became an official non-profit business in 2014.

Learn more about trafficking

About The Business

Threads of Hope is a registered non-profit business in Athens, Greece, dedicated to transforming the lives of women who have experienced exploitation. While financial sustainability matters, it is not our driving force; instead, we exist to help people heal, grow, and thrive. All profits are reinvested into wages, training, materials, and ongoing support.

We prioritize locally sourced, natural materials whenever possible and uphold ethical, high-quality production in a trauma-informed environment. We are also members of the Freedom Business Alliance, a global network of businesses committed to creating sustainable jobs for survivors of human trafficking and those at risk of exploitation, and we adhere to their Code of Excellence.

Core Values

~ Empowerment ~

Creating safe jobs and growth opportunities for women rebuilding their lives.

~ Integrity ~

Acting with honesty, respect, and transparency in all we do.

~ Excellence ~

Striving for quality and professionalism in our products and relationships.

~ Freedom ~

Helping women build foundations for independence and hope.

~ Collaboration ~

Working together and with partners to achieve greater impact.

A Holistic Workplace

Providing jobs is just the beginning. At Threads of Hope, we believe in holistic care for every person. The women we work with carry painful pasts, but those experiences shouldn't define who they are or who they can become. We focus on helping each woman grow, gain confidence, and build an independent, hopeful life. Our team is trained in trauma awareness, and a therapist visits weekly to support the women’s healing.

We believe in compassion and empowerment for survivors, not pity. Everyone here is seen as strong, capable, and full of potential. We know that, in other circumstances, any of us could have faced similar challenges. That’s what makes Threads of Hope a unique workplace — a place where new chapters can begin.

"That's what makes Threads of Hope a unique workplace – a place where new chapters can begin."

The Program

Women joining Threads of Hope begin with an individually based sewing training program that lets them explore the work and environment. Training ends with a skills examination and a seamstress certificate.

Those who choose to continue then enter a 12-month internship program to continue practicing and developing their skills. Equally important, we provide encouragement, personal support, language classes if needed, and access to counseling and holistic care to help women heal and regain confidence.

During this internship, our Sponsor Freedom program helps cover a monthly stipend and material costs as new artisans learn and grow. After they have completed their internship, they are ready for full employment with Threads of Hope.

Contact Us

Do you have further questions about who we are, what we do, or how we work?

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